The sculptors will be on Atlantic City's Pennsylvania Avenue beach, adjacent to the famed Steel Pier and the Landshark Bar & Grill, crafting enormous sand masterpieces. The sculptors have until June 27 to finish their pieces, which will be judged that evening at 6 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public, and beachgoers can watch the action from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The 20 participating sculptors were recruited from around the world by event director and professional sand carver John Gowdy. They'll be on-hand to mold with 500 tons of sand, an amount that judges say will allow them to build higher and with more detail than in past years.

Interestingly, no agents (like water) are permitted to be used during the building process. Artists can only add sticking solutions after construction is complete to help their work withstand beach weather.

Competators can join as solo and doubles carvers. Solo carvers will work June 19-22, and doubles teams will carve June 24-27.